RSL needs late flurry to beat 10-man Rapids 3-0

Posted April 21, 2018 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata (10) collides with Colorado Rapids defender Bismark Adjei-Boateng (21) during an MLS soccer match in Sandy, Utah, Saturday, April 21, 2018. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) The Associated Press

SANDY, Utah (AP) - Joao Plata scored on a penalty kick in the 82nd minute, Damir Kreilach and Albert Rusnak added goals and Real Salt Lake beat the Colorado Rapids 3-0 on Saturday night.

Colorado held Real Salt Lake scoreless for over 60 minutes while down a man until referee Joseph Dickerson charged Colorado's Tommy Smith with a hand ball in the area after a video review. Plata converted with a low hard shot to the left to open the scoring for RSL (3-3-1).

Kreilach settled Rusnak's pass and bent a shot around defender Axel Sjoberg to double the lead in the 89th. Rusnak capped the scoring on a free kick in the 92nd.

Rapids (2-2-2) goalkeeper Tim Howard was sent off in the 20th minute for denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity with a hand ball outside the area. Howard was well beyond the 18-yard box when he challenged RSL's Jefferson Savarino on a breakaway and blocked Savarino's shot with his left arm extended.

Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak (11) is grabbed on the shoulder by Colorado Rapids midfielder Johan Blomberg (8) during an MLS soccer match in Sandy, Utah, Saturday, April 21, 2018. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) The Associated Press

Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard (1) gets a red card during an MLS soccer game against Real Salt Lake in Sandy, Utah, Saturday, April 21, 2018. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) The Associated Press

Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata (10) goes for the ball during the team's MLS soccer match against the Colorado Rapids in Sandy, Utah, Saturday, April 21, 2018. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) The Associated Press

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